August 27, 2012 • A POSITIVE PRESS PUBLICATION • VOL. 3, ISSUE 1
Reviving Your Inner Freshman
written by fifth-year, Alyson Farzad
Calling all enthusiastic sophomores, committed juniors, reminiscing seniors, and aging super seniors… Let’s go on a journey back to our first week of our first year of college. You know, that mystical time when you snellebrated with strangers and invited new hall mates to play apples-to-apples regardless of who they were. Those were the good ole’ days, when you were never alone in your classes because every person was a potential new best friend…
It’s been a long time for me since those glory days of my first year, and the other day, I was sitting alone in the dining hall, enjoying the new O’Hacienda nacho line at O-house when I was approached by a freshman boy, who asked if I was eating alone. My initial reaction? “How in the world am I going to gracefully balance queso with conversation?! I’m going to need more napkins." |
I took a risk, however, when he suggested that if we both ate together, both of us would avoid eating alone and also make a new friend. Who cares how I look with cheese streaming from my mouth—this boy wanted to be friends! We ended up talking about classes, relationship advice, and the bus schedule…oh, and he was shocked when he found out that I was a fifth-year student. I, on the other hand, was shocked to find how refreshing it was to sit and invest in someone new.
This experience as being mistaken as bright-eyed freshman moved me to sit with more new people over the next couple weeks around school. So now, it’s your turn. Here is my call to action: stop pretending that you are texting on your phone when you pass by someone you met two years ago, but haven’t talked to since (we’re all guilty of this). |
In fact, do me one better by putting down this paper right now and asking the person to the left of you how their day is going. Introduce yourself to the people in your classes and learn their stories.
Do those things and tell me that you don’t feel more invested in the lives and successes of UGA students. I dare you. Calling all enthusiastic sophomores, committed juniors, reminiscing seniors, and aging super seniors…. Let’s all strive to be mistaken as inspired freshman. |
A Simple "Thank you" Will Do
written by fourth-year, Mary Ashley Tucker
“Wow! You’re so good at that!”
“Oh stop!” “Oh, no, that was just luck.” “Really? It didn’t turn out nearly how I wanted it to.” Sound familiar? How many times have you received a compliment and completely failed to accept it? Everyone does it! Whether it is out of modesty, disbelief, or the sheer surprise of receiving well-timed praise, very few people know the true value of a good compliment. Mark Twain once said, “I could live two months on a good compliment.” While I’m sure Mr. Twain savored hearing that someone loved his new outfit or that his story about that Sawyer kid was wildly entertaining, he might have been on to something bigger. They happen at any array of time and usually occur when someone finds something you did or said pleasant and worthy of praise—which would make sense for someone even as brilliant as Mark Twain to be so moved by a simple act of admiration. |
But in order to have given that compliment—a true, genuine verbal applause—someone must have seen something remarkable in you. So what makes those seemingly insignificant and fleeting moments after a great class presentation or somewhat average soccer game mean something?
Have you ever sat around and wondered what the heck you were supposed to do with your life? In between rounds of raw cookie dough and Friends marathons, I often find my life at a standstill in which I have little to no direction except for the spoon of chocolate chips ascending to my mouth. |
It’s those times that I sit back and remember the last compliment that truly meant something to me; a time when someone praised me for something that I loved doing to the point that it made me blush because I was so flabbergasted someone had even noticed. You know what I am talking about. THAT is the reason compliments are more than surface-level flattery and why receiving them with a heartfelt thanks while slipping them into a little memory bank will help better navigate the path your life is taking.
Whenever someone pays you a compliment, it is because they saw a light in you that sparked a passion in them. Whether it was the effortless way you unloaded the dishwasher, the ease with which you led a group project, or your ability to unicycle down Baxter Street, it is those moments and those compliments that have the ability to direct us to our next pursuit of happiness. So, why on earth wouldn't you simply say "thank you?" |
Tate Flyers and Preachers, to Rappers and Speeders
written by second-year, Alex Carruth
Door-to-door solicitors don't have anything on the advertising mecca that is Tate Plaza. It is easy to turn the ocean of people cramming flyers in your face into the world’s greatest game of “catch me if you can” as you weave between people and organizations. From darting between the masses and pretending you are on the phone, to keeping your head down and just saying no, it becomes a survival skill to try to speed through the plaza as quickly as possible.
Avoiding everyone may be easy, but I say – insist – you live life on the edge and swan dive right into the hustle and bustle that is Tate Plaza. Take a minute to listen to the brave individual swimming against the streams of people who attempt to get their message across. Stop for a moment and soak-in the raps or listen to the preachers. Admire the masterpieces painted on the street at the bus stop. Grab a rain forest’s worth of flyers being passed out like hotcakes. Have a conversation with the person passionate about their cause.
Tate Plaza may always be filled with people, but you never know what you will find or who you will get to know. The world’s greatest organization or performer could be a proud Bulldawg and you would never even know if you continue to live a life on the run, playing “catch me if you can.” Brace yourself, have your hands ready for flyers and mouth ready to talk; dive directly into the rushing sea of people. You never know what treasures await in Tate.
Avoiding everyone may be easy, but I say – insist – you live life on the edge and swan dive right into the hustle and bustle that is Tate Plaza. Take a minute to listen to the brave individual swimming against the streams of people who attempt to get their message across. Stop for a moment and soak-in the raps or listen to the preachers. Admire the masterpieces painted on the street at the bus stop. Grab a rain forest’s worth of flyers being passed out like hotcakes. Have a conversation with the person passionate about their cause.
Tate Plaza may always be filled with people, but you never know what you will find or who you will get to know. The world’s greatest organization or performer could be a proud Bulldawg and you would never even know if you continue to live a life on the run, playing “catch me if you can.” Brace yourself, have your hands ready for flyers and mouth ready to talk; dive directly into the rushing sea of people. You never know what treasures await in Tate.
Welcome to the Tech Column!
written by third-year, Ellis Edwards
photo courtesy of WorkFlowy
Yeah, I know, a tech column at UGA seems like a horrifying contradiction. Rest assured, I won't be writing about Atlanta's favorite trade-school any time soon.
This is a section devoted to great technology that can change your college experience. And if it changes your college experience, it could change your life! Sound idealistic? We just like to think big here at TCB. I have a passion for technology. That is my euphemism for, "I'm a bit of a geek." My purpose in this column is to educate and inspire you by informing you of technology that will positively contribute to your life. |
My hope is that you will read about a new app, website, or little tid-bit of tech that you will want to incorporate into your life. Technology is super cool, and there are a lot of hidden gems worth discovering.
Whew, glad we got that covered. I only have half a column left… Let's start the year with a super-simple, super-handy site called WorkFlowy.com. Appropriately, WorkFlowy exists to "organize your brain." If you're anything like me (a college student trying to graduate someday), you have a to-do list. Actually, you probably have a few of them: errands, assignments, reading lists, etc. If you're a lot like me (kinda type A…), you have a list for everything. WorkFlowy is your new best friend. Open up a page and let your brain have a field day. |
Its power is in its simplicity; it's just a blank slate. It is as much or as little as you need it to be. But if simple bullet points and indentations don’t do the trick for you, use their easy tagging and labeling system to organize your life to the max.
The site has a 45 second video that describes WorkFlowy perfectly. It also works great on all smartphones and tablets - just bookmark the page or add a shortcut to your home screen for easy access. I'd love to hear about your experience with WorkFlowy or about other tools and tricks you love for keeping your life in order. Email me at [email protected] with your thoughts! |
What is your plan for greatness?
written by second-year, Danielle Meinert
Most of us are re-entering college life, and some of you lucky people are just beginning your time at UGA. No matter what stage of our student career we are in, we all share a desire to make plans for our futures. We have these momentous ideas, perhaps a college bucket list, or even a five year road map; but, have you chosen to move on past preparation?
We only have a few years on this terrifyingly thrilling planet. We claim that we believe in making changes, making the world better for those who come after we leave, and making fulfilling lives for ourselves. Determine what that fulfilling life is for you. Put it on a post-it. Force yourself to stare at it written with an Expo marker on your bathroom mirror. Identify the reason to get out of bed in the morning and why it matters that you do! Once you have it written out, all you can do is choose to intimidate your comfort zone and take action to make those ideal opportunities real. In the discouraging moments when it makes more sense to just stop caring, decide to advance on these aspirations! |
If we choose to wholeheartedly invest in our ideas, then we
have a guaranteed escape from trepidation. Key word - invest. Apply to the internship that could jumpstart the exciting
career you dream of. Instead of stuffing your ambitions into shoeboxes, write
that short story, audition for that play, or save your money to fly to Europe
next summer—do what is still undone in your plan. These seemingly distant goals are waiting to
hear that they are real. Choose to fight for them now, so that you can look
back on your time here at UGA and be satisfied in the way that you fought to
live a life that intentionally veered from the mediocre.
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photo courtesy of Alex Noriega
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Keep Calm, and Feeny On
written by fourth-year, Andrea Morris
Earlier this year I made one of the most impulsive, yet best decisions I’ve ever had during my college career. I bought all seven seasons of Boy Meets World on DVD. A crucial part of my 90s childhood, the show revolved around Corey Matthews and his friends. Boy Meets World spanned from Cory’s time in 6th grade to the beginning of his college career. Through the seven years the all the characters, not just Cory, are taught and guided by the hand of Mr. Feeny.
Through every episode of every season, Mr. Feeny, with side comments or direct classroom interaction, often teaches Cory and the gang a valuable lesson. From the real meaning of giving to the nature of family, Boy Meets World helped shaped my own book of virtues. Through the course of its seven year history, I’ll remember all the times the show made me laugh, think, and cry. But, there have been two moments of the show’s running where my life was changed, and I have Mr. Feeny to thank for them. First, I believe many of you are in the same position I am. That position is “school.” The majority of our existence has been spent in education, preparing us for the world set in front of us. |
What do we all want? A job? Financial security? A family? To be happy? I’ve now been in school for 16 years and I couldn’t tell you where my life is headed tomorrow, let alone after I graduate. But, Mr. Feeny, with all his wisdom, provoked my sense of purpose when he tells his students, “It’s not enough to leave school and just desire to succeed in this cruel, cold world. Because then you simply become a part of it. You must also have a desire to change it. And to change it, you’re going to need your fine mind and [your] good heart.”
I don’t know how our generation is going to change the world. I can’t tell you where you’ll be headed after college. |
What I know is Mr. Feeny was right. If we are the ones to change the world, all it’s going to take is a little bit of wit and a whole lot of heart.
My second moment of clarity came from the very last episode of the series. Cory and his friends return to their 6th grade classroom. The group has grown up and it’s time they face their futures. As they wrestle with fear and uncertainty, they ask Mr. Feeny for one final piece of advice. He solemnly looks at them and replies: “Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good.” I’m fairly certain that Mr. Feeny has given us the answer on how people are supposed to live. To this day, in all that I approach and do, I step-up with those four pieces of acumen. We’re still at the beginning of this school year, you and I. As tests approach, calendars start to collide, and we forget to breathe and take in the moment-- I’m here to remind you: Keep calm, and Feeny on. |
Say My Name, Say My Name
written by second-year, Ryan Sichelstiel
“Hey, Bryan!”
“It’s Ryan…” Simply knowing a person’s name can change the guy to your right in history class from being a stranger or a study buddy. Or, an awkward professor could become an insightful mentor. |
Dale Carnegie said, “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” It sounds easy, but think about it—how many times have been in a conversation with someone on campus and you can’t help but think, “who is this person?” If you consider yourself to be a person who just can’t remember names, stop. The easiest, quickest way to better yourself at something is to stop proclaiming how awful you are at it. It’s time to stop making excuses and make familiar faces and a smaller campus.
Think that it is too late to start learning some new names? Have no fear! It is still early in the semester and we haven’t reached the point where it is awkward to share the basics (hometown, major and year) with the person who is clearly reading your text messages over your shoulder. |
You can even take this challenge outside of the classroom and get adventurous. Start a conversation with someone in the Barberito’s line at Tate, or while you’re Snellibrating—who doesn’t love talking about food?
This isn’t this longest article to ever be in The Chapel Bell, but neither are the conversations that you can have with people in order to get to know them. Everyone has a story, and to hear it, all you have to know is their name. (Insert your name here), you’re awesome. So is the person next to you. Find out why. |
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